People, Property and Power Lines

Frequently asked questions about power lines on or near your property Great River Energy is a not-for-profit wholesale cooperative which provides to the 28 distribution cooperatives shown below.

®NRECA

Arrowhead North Itasca

Co-op Great River Energy is committed to providing safe, reliable electricity to our Lake Country Light & member cooperatives and the member-consumers they serve. Keeping Power Power electricity flowing to you and to other customers sometimes requires us to Itasca-Mantrap build new power lines or upgrade existing lines. That means working with landowners and local, state and federal government units to meet the Crow Wing Todd- Mille Lacs region’s needs. Lake Region Wadena

East Central Runestone Energy

Stearns Inside you will find answers to frequently asked questions about: Agralite Connexus Kandiyohi Wright- Meeker Hennepin 1 Power line basics, page 2

McLeod 2 How transmission lines are planned, page 3 Dakota Valley Redwood Goodhue 3 Determining where a transmission line will be built, page 4 Brown County County Steele- Waseca 4 Purchasing easements, page 6 South Central BENCO Nobles 5 Tree removal, construction and property restoration, page 8 Federated 6 Ongoing maintenance and tree management, page 11

Our system provides power to approximately two-thirds 7 Other, page 13 of Minnesota geographically and parts of Wisconsin, serving about 1.7 million people.

1 Power line basics How transmission lines are planned

Electric power lines have been part of the landscape for more than a A new transmission line can be needed to improve or preserve reliability for century, delivering the power we need to use our favorite electronics and many reasons, such as people in an area using more electricity than they appliances and operate our businesses. There are transmission lines, such had in the past or more people or businesses moving into an area. as those Great River Energy builds, and distribution lines from your local In addition, transmission lines may be built when a source of backup power electric utility to your home or business. is needed, such as to add an alternate source of power to an existing Q. What are transmission facility or provide a link between utilities so backup power is available and distribution power lines? during emergencies. Think of it as serving the same purpose as a road construction detour. When one path is unavailable, it is important to have A. Transmission lines deliver an alternate path. large or bulk amounts of electricity from power plants to Transmission lines are also needed when a new power plant is built, to substations. Think of deliver the electricity from the plant to the electric system. transmission lines as the Q. Who decides a new line is needed? interstate freeways of the electrical system. Distribution A. Planning engineers at Great River Energy, our member cooperatives and lines deliver smaller amounts other utilities continuously monitor the system. Most of our projects are of electricity directly to homes, requested by our members (such as your electric cooperative) based on farms and businesses. Think of estimates of their member-consumers’ existing and forecasted future needs. them as the smaller state or Other times new transmission lines are needed to address regulatory requirements, such as standards. county highways of the Transmission lines and structures are electrical system. The electricity usually smaller than landowners expect provider who you pay each at first. The large lattice towers that come Who thinks of this stuff? to mind are rarely used any longer. month is a distribution Most of our projects have Pictured above is a common structure for been requested by our cooperative or company. 69-kV and 115-kV transmission Iines. members. Engineers from your electric cooperative, Q. What are volts? Great River Energy and other A. The force or electrical pressure of an electrical current is measured in area utilities work together continuously to maintain a volts. The voltage at which a transmission line operates is expressed in reliable electric system. kilovolts (kV). One kV equals 1,000 volts. Any line that operates at over Sometimes that requires 100 kV is considered a high-voltage transmission line. Lines operating building new power lines. below 100 kV are either considered sub-transmission lines or distribution lines.

2 3 Determining where the line will be built on proposed routes. If you are invited to a public meeting in your area, it is important that you attend. On projects following the state of Minnesota’s Great River Energy uses a thorough process for routing transmission lines permitting process, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission makes the final whether we are following a local or state permitting process. decision on where the line will be built, after receiving extensive public input.

Q. Why not bury the lines underground? A. At first glance, it might seem that burying transmission lines is a good solution, but it actually has significant drawbacks for both utilities and landowners. Burying long-distance transmission lines underground is generally not practical because: 1) They cost several times more than overhead lines due to the differences in equipment, materials and construction costs. 2) Repairs are much more difficult and expensive. Outages can last days rather than hours. 3) The construction process is much more disruptive for landowners. As much as possible, we follow existing corridors, such as along roadways, railroads, pipelines or existing power lines. Sometimes the Even though special circumstances (such as areas near airports or Minnesota Public Utilities Commission makes the final decision on where downtown areas) may require underground lines for short distances, the line will be constructed. transmission lines will continue to be built above ground until a more Q. How do you decide the specific route a new line will follow? reliable and economical method of underground construction and maintenance is developed. A. Many social, environmental and engineering factors are considered by a team that includes representatives from land rights, environmental resources, construction, engineering and local electric cooperatives. The team examines the area and identifies possible routes for the line. Our goals include:

° Using existing corridors (such as along roadways, railroads, pipelines or other power lines) as much as possible

° Minimizing, as much as possible, effects on human settlement, agriculture, forestry, mining, natural systems, wildlife and recreation, public or culturally significant lands and water

° Providing a safe, reliable transmission line at a reasonable cost

° Maintaining compatibility with future plans Keeping the power flowing to you Q. How can I get involved in the process? The electricity you use every day travels through miles of power lines before it reaches you. Making it possible for you and other customers A. You may be contacted for input, or public meetings may be held to to reliably operate your favorite electronics and appliances answer landowner questions, encourage public discussion and get input sometimes requires us to build or upgrade transmission lines. 4 5 Purchasing easements negotiations with landowners for each parcel of land. If an easement is needed across your property, a Great River Energy representative will If Great River Energy needs to build a transmission line on your property, a personally meet with you to discuss: right-of-way professional will work with you to obtain an “easement.” ° The type of power line that will be built and the proposed location of Q. What is an easement? the easement and power line across your property

A. An easement is a right and interest in real property for a specific use, ° Terms and conditions of the easement document such as a transmission line. With an easement, you grant permission to The payment schedule and amount of your payment Great River Energy to build a transmission line on your land for an agreed- ° upon payment. You still own and can use the property on which the line is In addition, we will answer your questions, provide you with a copy of the located, but the easement grants us the right to build, operate and maintain easement and give you information that describes various aspects of the the line (including removing vegetation) within the defined area. Easements power line. generally last for the life of the transmission line. Q. When does the landowner receive the easement payment? Q. What is the process for acquiring easements? A. If you have signed an easement, you will receive your payment prior to A. Once a final route is determined and we have the necessary permits, we construction. identify which landowners will be affected by the line. We then study current market property values and the type of land the line will cross. Next, we Q. What is a right of way? What rights does Great River Energy have? develop an easement payment schedule that becomes the basis for A. The right of way is the actual strip of land defined in the easement. Our easement rights allow for the right to enter the easement area to remove trees and vegetation, and the right to remove or trim trees adjacent to the right of way.

Q. How wide is the right of way? A. Widths depend primarily on the size of the power line. Ours typically range from 70 feet to 180 feet.

Q. What if we can’t reach an agreement? A. Great River Energy always prefers to negotiate directly with landowners and come to an agreement. However, in the event an agreement cannot be reached between you and Great River Energy, Minnesota law authorizes a court proceeding called eminent domain. Eminent domain is a right granted

by the state that allows for the condemnation of land for facilities that benefit NRECA

® the general public, such as transmission lines. To exercise the right to an Designing the best route is often very challenging. We appreciate your eminent domain proceeding, Great River Energy must prove the proposed cooperation and input as we do our best to balance many different facility is needed. factors to determine the best route and find solutions that work for both landowners and the line design.

6 7 In such proceedings, the court appoints three commissioners who are Q. Do you have to remove even small trees? knowledgeable in real estate matters to determine the amount to be paid for A. Yes. Crews will remove any trees or vegetation that would hinder the the easement. If you or Great River Energy are dissatisfied with the amount construction, operation or maintenance of the line. For safety, reliability and of the commissioner’s award, either party may request an additional cost savings, we remove tall-growing trees and saplings before they become proceeding to determine compensation. a problem. Whenever possible, we leave shrubs and other low-growing vegetation in the edges of the right of way; however, an open area is Tree removal, construction and property restoration needed on both sides of the transmission line’s center for accessibility.

After the easements and necessary approvals have been secured, the line Q. Can I keep the wood? can be built. Landowners will receive information about the construction A. As part of the easement, Great River Energy acquires the trees on the process, which involves surveying, tree removal, construction and right of way; however, you can request the wood if the removal method restoration of property. allows the wood to be saved.

Q. Why do you have to remove trees? Q. What is involved in constructing the line? A. For safety and reliability, a clear area around power lines, called the A. You will be contacted about construction procedures and access to clear zone, must remain clear. Transmission line wires are not insulated and locations where poles will be placed. If necessary, gates or openings at produce heat as the electric current moves through the line. Trees that come points of access will be installed. Concrete foundations for poles will be in contact with the power line can start on fire and/or cause a short circuit installed if necessary. Then the poles will be set and the wires installed. and outages. Additionally, line contact with trees or other objects that touch the ground can be dangerous for people nearby. Q. Will you restore my property when you are done? A. We always try to minimize the impact our projects have. During construction, we clean up along the route as best we can. Following construction, we restore the land as closely as possible to its original condition. Then a final cleanup and inspection are made. Restoration is part of our right-of-way management program, which is designed to minimize the impact of transmission lines and ensure continuous operation.

Q. What if you damage my fencing or other property during construction? A. When the line is complete, we will contact you to ensure the conditions of the easement are met to your satisfaction. Sometimes, however, minor damage is unavoidable. Damage to fences, roads, fields or other property will either be repaired to your satisfaction or you will be paid for doing your own restoration and repair.

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) requires utilities to maintain proper clearances along transmission rights of way.

8 9 Q. How are crop losses determined? Q. Will you enter my property to remove or prune trees? A. Crop losses are determined by measuring the area damaged and then A. Sometimes, yes. Occasionally crews might have to enter your property multiplying it by the current market price per bushel using an average yield to remove or prune trees or to perform other maintenance work. In the event per acre for the type of crop. This calculation will be discussed with you at of an emergency, quick and direct access may be necessary for major the time of settlement. repair. Great River Energy typically uses existing field or access roads with your permission and makes every effort to avoid damaging your property. We (or one of our contractors) will make a reasonable effort to contact you first. However, in emergencies, it may not be possible to contact you Meeting industry guidelines beforehand. for transmission line design and maintenance Q. Do you use herbicides? A. Where conditions permit and with the property owner’s permission, In order to maintain a safe, reliable system, Great River Energy Great River Energy also uses herbicides as an effective and economical closely follows industry standards, such as those outlined in the method of controlling tree and brush growth. Great River Energy’s herbicide National Electrical Safety Code and requirements of the North application methods follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state American Electric Reliability Corporation. agency regulations. Herbicides are applied by licensed applicators.

Q. How do you handle Dutch elm disease and oak wilt? A. We handle elm and oak wood cut from rights of way according to local Ongoing maintenance and tree management and state regulations. To ensure safe, reliable operation of our transmission lines, we inspect our Q. How much of a clearance do you need for safe operation? transmission lines each year by air or by ground for: A. For safety and reliability, Great River Energy requires a minimum 15-foot Trees that are growing too close or could grow too close to a power ° clear zone (sometimes more) on both sides of any transmission line, line measured from the base of the structure. (See diagram on page 8.) ° Equipment needing repair or replacement Transmission lines operate at high enough voltages that actual contact with an object may not be necessary to cause an outage or dangerous situation. ° Easement encroachments Also, summer temperatures and higher electricity use can cause lines to sag, ° Anything that might jeopardize safe, reliable operation of the line sometimes as much as five to 10 feet.

10 11 Q. Can I plant anything in the right-of-way area? Other questions A. For your benefit, DO NOT plant any trees in the right-of-way area before Q. What is stray voltage? What causes it? talking to Great River Energy. As a landowner, even with an easement granted to Great River Energy, you retain most property rights, but we do A. The term stray voltage is used to describe a special case of voltage not want to have to remove your new tree. Activities in the easement area developed on the grounded neutral system of a farm. If this voltage reaches that do not interfere with the safe construction, operation and maintenance sufficient levels, animals coming into contact with grounded devices may of the line, such as using the land for pastureland, farming or gardening, experience a small shock or tingle. When this occurs on a dairy farm, the are permitted. dairy cow may become stressed, which can result in behavior changes. These changes in behavior can affect the cow’s health and the cow may Q. Can I build a building or other structure in the easement area? begin to produce less milk. A. Not without prior written approval from Great River Energy. Buildings Stray voltage is associated with on-farm wiring and electrical connections to and other structures are generally not permitted on rights of way. Crops, the local electric distribution system. Questions and concerns about stray driveways, fences, parking lots and other such activities are permitted but voltage are best addressed by the electric distribution utility that serves the must be reviewed by Great River Energy prior to construction. Again, we farm directly (the utility the farm receives a bill from each month). need to discuss projects with you so we can avoid problems in the future. Q. Will a power line interfere with my television, radio, Internet, cell phone and GPS signals? A. Power lines seldom interfere with radio or television reception or with Internet service, cell phones or Global Positioning Systems (GPS). Most interference is caused by appliances and equipment within the home and/or faulty receivers. Attempting to tune in a weak, distant station makes any interference more noticeable. Sometimes an improper connection on YOU MUST the power line can cause interference. If power line interference does occur, qualified personnel will investigate and solve the problem at Great River CALL US FIRST! Energy’s expense. Because the conversion to digital television is very recent, no data is available at this time to assess the effects of transmission lines on digital service.

For everyone’s benefit, you must call before planting any trees or building in the right-of-way area. We do not want to have to remove your new addition.

12 13 Safety around power lines

If you see a broken or damaged piece of transmission equipment or line, or any other unusual condition, please report it at once to us at 1-800-442-3013. Important safety information is available in our “Safety Around Power Lines” brochure and under Delivering Electricity at greatriverenergy.com.

How to contact us Great River Energy 12300 Elm Creek Boulevard Maple Grove, MN 55369-4718 Email – [email protected] Phone – 763-445-5000 1-888-521-0130

greatriverenergy.com

Rev. 1/2016